Board of Directors

The Farm Credit East Board consists of both member-elected directors and board-appointed directors. The Board also appoints customer directors from time to time to address unique Board requirements. As elected officials, directors represent the best interests of the organization and its borrowers.

Each year, there is an election process to select members for Farm Credit East's Board of Directors. The Farm Credit East election process includes a regional nominating committee to ensure sound representation throughout our 20-office area. Each spring, Farm Credit East stockholders vote for all open board positions.

Click here to view the Charter for the Farm Credit East Board of Directors.

Matt W. Beaton is president and owner of Sure-Cran Services, Inc., a custom management company managing over 550 acres of cranberry bogs in southeastern Massachusetts. Matt is also president/co-owner of Beaton's, Inc., which owns and manages 170 acres of cranberry bogs.

Matt was first elected to the board in 2006 and his current term expires in 2020. Matt is a director of the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association and the CoBank Nominating Committee.

Matt W. Beaton is president and owner of Sure-Cran Services, Inc., a custom management company managing over 550 acres of cranberry bogs in southeastern Massachusetts. Matt is also president/co-owner of Beaton's, Inc., which owns and manages 170 acres of cranberry bogs.

Matt was first elected to the board in 2006 and his current term expires in 2020. Matt is a director of the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association and the CoBank Nominating Committee.

Laurie K. Griffen and her husband Steve are co-owner-operators of Saratoga Sod Farm, Inc., a 600-acre turfgrass farm in Stillwater, N.Y. In addition, Saratoga Sod provides installation services as well as sales of seed and fertilizer to assist its customer across the Northeast. Saratoga Sod also grows roughly 500 acres of soybeans, corn and barley as part of the crop rotation.

Laurie was elected to the board in 2011. Her current term expiring in 2023. Laurie also serves on the Town of Saratoga Planning Board, Schuyler Park Committee (Co-chair) and the NY Farm Bureau Labor Committee.

Laurie K. Griffen and her husband Steve are co-owner-operators of Saratoga Sod Farm, Inc., a 600-acre turfgrass farm in Stillwater, N.Y. In addition, Saratoga Sod provides installation services as well as sales of seed and fertilizer to assist its customer across the Northeast. Saratoga Sod also grows roughly 500 acres of soybeans, corn and barley as part of the crop rotation.

Laurie was elected to the board in 2011. Her current term expiring in 2023. Laurie also serves on the Town of Saratoga Planning Board, Schuyler Park Committee (Co-chair) and the NY Farm Bureau Labor Committee.

Kurt W. Alstede is founder, owner and general manager of Alstede Farms, LLC, a 600-acre vertically integrated fruit and vegetable farm located in Chester, N.J. The farm includes tree and small fruit, vegetables, ornamentals, a year-round store, processing, Pick-Your-Own, and agritourism.

Kurt was elected director in 2019 to a term expiring in 2023. He is also director of his County Tourism Bureau, vice chair of the New Jersey Highlands Council Regional Planning Authority, and active in the New Jersey Farm Bureau and the Morris County Board of Agriculture. Additionally, Kurt is secretary of the Chester Fireman's Relief Association and agricultural liaison for the New Jersey Agricultural Society.

Kurt W. Alstede is founder, owner and general manager of Alstede Farms, LLC, a 600-acre vertically integrated fruit and vegetable farm located in Chester, N.J. The farm includes tree and small fruit, vegetables, ornamentals, a year-round store, processing, Pick-Your-Own, and agritourism.

Kurt was elected director in 2019 to a term expiring in 2023. He is also director of his County Tourism Bureau, vice chair of the New Jersey Highlands Council Regional Planning Authority, and active in the New Jersey Farm Bureau and the Morris County Board of Agriculture. Additionally, Kurt is secretary of the Chester Fireman's Relief Association and agricultural liaison for the New Jersey Agricultural Society.

Michael N. Brooks, of Elmer, N.J., was first elected to the Farm Credit East Board in 2014, with his current term expiring in 2022.

In partnership with his parents, William and Diane Brooks, he owns Dusty Lane Farms, LLC . Dusty Lane Farms is a diverse, 1,500-acre irrigated operation producing white potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, sweet corn, corn and soybeans. Mike is a member of United States Potato Board, serves on the executive committee of the Salem Country Board of Agriculture and is the vice president of the New Jersey White Potato Association.

Michael N. Brooks, of Elmer, N.J., was first elected to the Farm Credit East Board in 2014, with his current term expiring in 2022.

In partnership with his parents, William and Diane Brooks, he owns Dusty Lane Farms, LLC . Dusty Lane Farms is a diverse, 1,500-acre irrigated operation producing white potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, sweet corn, corn and soybeans. Mike is a member of United States Potato Board, serves on the executive committee of the Salem Country Board of Agriculture and is the vice president of the New Jersey White Potato Association.

Peter Call, of Batavia, N.Y., was elected to the board in 2015. His current term expires in 2023.

Peter is president of My-T Acres, Inc., an 8,500-acre vegetable and grain operation. More than 5,000 of those acres are dedicated to the production of snap beans, potatoes, red beets, carrots, peas, sweet corn, spinach and cabbage. Peter is on the Seneca Foods Board of Directors, the Farm Fresh First Board and the Genesee Community College Board of Trustees.

Peter Call, of Batavia, N.Y., was elected to the board in 2015. His current term expires in 2023.

Peter is president of My-T Acres, Inc., an 8,500-acre vegetable and grain operation. More than 5,000 of those acres are dedicated to the production of snap beans, potatoes, red beets, carrots, peas, sweet corn, spinach and cabbage. Peter is on the Seneca Foods Board of Directors, the Farm Fresh First Board and the Genesee Community College Board of Trustees.

Tim Chan, of Claremont, NH, was appointed as an outside director in 2015 to a term expiring in 2019.

Tim was the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., North America’s leading producer of canned and bottled juices and juice drinks. Prior to Ocean Spray, he served as Vice President of Finance for Campbell Soup Company and Vice President and Corporate Controller of The Pillsbury Company and ALPO Pet Foods.

Tim Chan, of Claremont, NH, was appointed as an outside director in 2015 to a term expiring in 2019.

Tim was the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., North America’s leading producer of canned and bottled juices and juice drinks. Prior to Ocean Spray, he served as Vice President of Finance for Campbell Soup Company and Vice President and Corporate Controller of The Pillsbury Company and ALPO Pet Foods.

Skip Hardie, of Lansing, N.Y., was elected director in 2016 to a term expiring in 2020.

Skip is a partner of Walnut Ridge Dairy, LLC, along with Steve Palladino, John Fleming and Keith Chapin. The farm milks 1,400 cows and operates 2,000 acres. Skip serves on the American Dairy Association/Dairy Council’s executive committee and Board of Directors. He is also chairman of the NYS Milk Promotion Advisory Board, secretary of Dairy Management Inc. and director and nominating committee chairman for the US Dairy Export Council.

Skip Hardie, of Lansing, N.Y., was elected director in 2016 to a term expiring in 2020.

Skip is a partner of Walnut Ridge Dairy, LLC, along with Steve Palladino, John Fleming and Keith Chapin. The farm milks 1,400 cows and operates 2,000 acres. Skip serves on the American Dairy Association/Dairy Council’s executive committee and Board of Directors. He is also chairman of the NYS Milk Promotion Advisory Board, secretary of Dairy Management Inc. and director and nominating committee chairman for the US Dairy Export Council.

Philip "Jamie" Jones, of Shelton, Conn., was elected director in 2018 to a term expiring in 2022.

Jamie is co-owner and managing member of Jones Family Farms, LLC, a 400-acre retail farm growing strawberries, blueberries, pumpkins and Christmas trees. He is also owner of Jones Family Farms Winery, LLC, a 5,000 case vineyard and winery.

Philip "Jamie" Jones, of Shelton, Conn., was elected director in 2018 to a term expiring in 2022.

Jamie is co-owner and managing member of Jones Family Farms, LLC, a 400-acre retail farm growing strawberries, blueberries, pumpkins and Christmas trees. He is also owner of Jones Family Farms Winery, LLC, a 5,000 case vineyard and winery.

LouAnne King, of Madrid, N.Y., was elected to the board in 2017, with her current term expiring in 2021.

LouAnne is an owner of Mapleview Dairy LLC, along with her brother, David Fisher, John Kingston, and her two nephews, Jordan and Jacob Fisher. The family-owned 2,800 cow dairy has 2,500 replacement heifers and approximately 4,600 cropped acres. LouAnne serves as office manager and CFO, while providing human resource functions, management support and mentoring the next generation of managers. LouAnne is a member of the NYS Dairy Promotion Advisory Board; Cornell University Department of Animal Science Advisory Board; Pro-Dairy Advisory Board; the Northeast Agricultural Foundation Board; the St. Lawrence County Cornell Cooperative Extension Farm Profit Team; and chairs the St. Lawrence Country Dairy Princess Committee.

LouAnne King, of Madrid, N.Y., was elected to the board in 2017, with her current term expiring in 2021.

LouAnne is an owner of Mapleview Dairy LLC, along with her brother, David Fisher, John Kingston, and her two nephews, Jordan and Jacob Fisher. The family-owned 2,800 cow dairy has 2,500 replacement heifers and approximately 4,600 cropped acres. LouAnne serves as office manager and CFO, while providing human resource functions, management support and mentoring the next generation of managers. LouAnne is a member of the NYS Dairy Promotion Advisory Board; Cornell University Department of Animal Science Advisory Board; Pro-Dairy Advisory Board; the Northeast Agricultural Foundation Board; the St. Lawrence County Cornell Cooperative Extension Farm Profit Team; and chairs the St. Lawrence Country Dairy Princess Committee.

John P. Knopf is the principal owner of Fa-Ba Farms, LLC in Canandaigua, N.Y. Fa-Ba Farms is a dairy business consisting of 500 milking cows, 440 replacements and 850 acres of land devoted to forage production.

John was first elected to the board in 2013, with his current term expiring in 2021. John is also a member of the Town of Canandaigua Board of Assessment Review and has prior service with the Soil and Water Conservation District Northern Watershed Committee and Ontario County Farm Bureau.

John P. Knopf is the principal owner of Fa-Ba Farms, LLC in Canandaigua, N.Y. Fa-Ba Farms is a dairy business consisting of 500 milking cows, 440 replacements and 850 acres of land devoted to forage production.

John was first elected to the board in 2013, with his current term expiring in 2021. John is also a member of the Town of Canandaigua Board of Assessment Review and has prior service with the Soil and Water Conservation District Northern Watershed Committee and Ontario County Farm Bureau.

James A. Robbins II, of Searsmont, Maine, is president of Robbins Lumber, Inc., a fully integrated log yard, sawmill, dry kilns and planer mill that produces Eastern White Pine. Robbins Lumber owns and manages 27,000 acres of timberland. Additionally, Jim is the manager of Georges River Energy, LLC, a biomass power plant that burns wood waste in order to produce electrical power.

Jim was elected director in 2019 to a term expiring in 2023. He is also member of the Northeast Lumber Manufacturers Association (NELMA). Previously, he was chair of Maine’s SFI Implementation Committee and past president of the Maine Wood Products Association.

James A. Robbins II, of Searsmont, Maine, is president of Robbins Lumber, Inc., a fully integrated log yard, sawmill, dry kilns and planer mill that produces Eastern White Pine. Robbins Lumber owns and manages 27,000 acres of timberland. Additionally, Jim is the manager of Georges River Energy, LLC, a biomass power plant that burns wood waste in order to produce electrical power.

Jim was elected director in 2019 to a term expiring in 2023. He is also member of the Northeast Lumber Manufacturers Association (NELMA). Previously, he was chair of Maine’s SFI Implementation Committee and past president of the Maine Wood Products Association.

Lisa P. Sellew and her family own Prides Corner Farms, in Lebanon, Conn., a wholesale nursery growing more than 2,200 varieties of nursery stock, perennials, roses, trees, herbs and vegetables that has been in business for more than 30 years. Prides Corner supplies plants throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Prides Corner also grows and supplies prevegetated green roof product called LiveRoof®.

Lisa was first elected to the board in 2013, with her current term expiring in 2021.

Lisa P. Sellew and her family own Prides Corner Farms, in Lebanon, Conn., a wholesale nursery growing more than 2,200 varieties of nursery stock, perennials, roses, trees, herbs and vegetables that has been in business for more than 30 years. Prides Corner supplies plants throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Prides Corner also grows and supplies prevegetated green roof product called LiveRoof®.

Lisa was first elected to the board in 2013, with her current term expiring in 2021.

Douglas W. Shelmidine, of Adams, N.Y., owns Sheland Farms, a multi-generational family business that Doug runs in partnership with his father, Donald, brother, Todd, and sons, Erik and Devon. The family farms 1,750 acres and milks 900 cows. As the farm’s general manager and chief financial officer, Doug is responsible for the financial and overall management of the business.

Doug was elected to the board in 2012 with his current term expiring in 2020. Doug has served his five two-year terms on the USDA-NRCS Agricultural Air Quality Task Force and also chairs the Jefferson County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board.

Douglas W. Shelmidine, of Adams, N.Y., owns Sheland Farms, a multi-generational family business that Doug runs in partnership with his father, Donald, brother, Todd, and sons, Erik and Devon. The family farms 1,750 acres and milks 900 cows. As the farm’s general manager and chief financial officer, Doug is responsible for the financial and overall management of the business.

Doug was elected to the board in 2012 with his current term expiring in 2020. Doug has served his five two-year terms on the USDA-NRCS Agricultural Air Quality Task Force and also chairs the Jefferson County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board.

Keith Stolzenburg, of East Amherst, NY, was appointed as an outside director in 2019 to a term expiring in 2023.

Keith was a Financial Services Assurance Partner, the Managing Partner of the Buffalo, N.Y., office and Market Team Leader for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. During his 36 years of public accounting experience, he served a mix of public and private clients in a variety of business sectors, with a concentration in the financial services industry. Keith is also a certified public accountant.

Keith Stolzenburg, of East Amherst, NY, was appointed as an outside director in 2019 to a term expiring in 2023.

Keith was a Financial Services Assurance Partner, the Managing Partner of the Buffalo, N.Y., office and Market Team Leader for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. During his 36 years of public accounting experience, he served a mix of public and private clients in a variety of business sectors, with a concentration in the financial services industry. Keith is also a certified public accountant.

Peter H. Triandafillou was appointed to the Farm Credit East Board, as its forestry expert, in 2016. His current term expires in 2022.

Peter is vice president of woodlands for Huber Resources Corp, a timber management firm managing 600,000 acres in seven states. Peter is also past president and current member of The Maine Forest Products Council, past chair and current member of the Society of American Foresters (Maine division), past president and current member of the North Maine Woods Corporation and past chair of the Advisory Committee of the Cooperative Forestry Research Unit.

Peter H. Triandafillou was appointed to the Farm Credit East Board, as its forestry expert, in 2016. His current term expires in 2022.

Peter is vice president of woodlands for Huber Resources Corp, a timber management firm managing 600,000 acres in seven states. Peter is also past president and current member of The Maine Forest Products Council, past chair and current member of the Society of American Foresters (Maine division), past president and current member of the North Maine Woods Corporation and past chair of the Advisory Committee of the Cooperative Forestry Research Unit.

Terry R. Zittel, of Eden, N.Y., was elected as a director in 2018, to a term expiring in 2022.

Terry is corporate secretary and business manager of Amos Zittel & Sons, Inc., a wholesale vegetable, flower and retail market business growing 300 acres of fresh market vegetables, including sweet corn, peppers, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts and squash, and a certified organic crop of mini cukes and hot peppers. They also have three acres of greenhouse growing two million rooted liners of 950 vegetative annual varieties for Ball Seed®, and wholesale finished spring pots.

Terry R. Zittel, of Eden, N.Y., was elected as a director in 2018, to a term expiring in 2022.

Terry is corporate secretary and business manager of Amos Zittel & Sons, Inc., a wholesale vegetable, flower and retail market business growing 300 acres of fresh market vegetables, including sweet corn, peppers, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts and squash, and a certified organic crop of mini cukes and hot peppers. They also have three acres of greenhouse growing two million rooted liners of 950 vegetative annual varieties for Ball Seed®, and wholesale finished spring pots.